Low bottle crates of synthetic material



June 30; 1970 A. SCHOELLER 3,517,852

LOW BOTTLE CRATES OF SYNTHETIC MATERIAL Filed Sept. 20, 1968 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 3,517,852 LOW BOTTLE CRATES 0F SYNTHETIC MATERIAL Alexander Schoeller, Karl-Marr-Strasse, Munich-Solln, Germany Filed Sept. 20, 1968, Ser. No. 761,071 Int. Cl. B65d 1/36, 25/04 US. Cl. 220-21 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A low bottle crate of synthetic material with a framework having walls extending parallel to the outer walls of the crate forming partitions, which includes a bottom comprising web formations connected with the framework walls and symmetrically disposed in the partitions. The open distance of the framework walls is smaller than the diameter of the heads of the bottles received in the crate. The web formations constitute a limit for the passage of the head of a bottle standing therebelow in a pile and its position is chosen such that the framework walls are free from. passing bottom rails Within the range of their crossings and in their center. First web rings are disposed in the bottom of each partition symmetrically about the center thereof. Second web rings connect the first web rings of adjacent partitions, and the center point of the second web rings are disposed below the center of the corresponding of the framework Walls. Third Web rings are disposed with their centers below the crossings of the framework walls and are connected with the adjacent of the second web rings, and fourth web rings are arranged concentrically to the first web rings, to constitute limiting means for the passage of the heads of the bottles and are connected with the first web rings.

The present invention relates to a low bottle crate, which is produced by pressing or injection molding in one working step and in one piece of synthetic material.

Low bottle crates are such crates, the height of which is smaller than the bottles set into the crate. The bottles are thus received only by one part of their height, for instance, at the half height by the crates, so that upon superimposing of filled crates, the upper crates are supported always with their bottoms on the bottle heads of the crates disposed therebelow. For a position safety of the bottles, it is conventional to provide inside of the crates a framework which comprises walls disposed parallel to the outer walls.

In order to save material and transportation weight, bottle crates should be as light as" possible and, nevertheless, should be able to resist the stresses occurring in a rough operation. Furthermore, a simple handling and easy cleaning possibility is desirous. In low bottle crates, as an additional requirement for the crate bottom, is to be added, that the crates during the piling engage safely on the bottle heads of the crate disposed therebelow and are secured against lateral sliding.

In order to comply with these requirements and particularly of the last mentioned requirement and in order to avoid the drawbacks of known crates with a closed bottom plate relative to the high material requirement and bad cleaning possibility, one starts with a bottom of a low bottle crate of synthetic material which comprises crossing bottom rails extending parallel to the crate outer walls and is equipped with a framework for the bottles, the walls of which are arranged parallel to the outer walls of the crate and are connected with the bottom rails.

3,517,852 Patented June 30, 1970 p ICE An already proposed particularity resides in the fact, that the number of the bottom rails in longitudinal and cross direction is equal to double the number of the partitions in these directions, that the bottom rails are arranged such, that their crossing points define squares disposed symmetrically in the bottom of each frame, the open distance of the squares from each other being smaller than the diameter of the bottle heads, and in which always a limit is arranged for the passage of the head of a bottle disposed therebelow in a pile and that the framework walls have recesses leading upwardly in their center from the crate bottom within the range of their crossing. The limit for the passage of the bottle heads can thereby consist, in accordance with a further proposal of a cross formed of two webs which cross forms a bearing place for the bottle heads such, that the height of the webs is smaller than the height of the bottom webs.

With thus formed crates, a safe piling is made possible, since the bottle heads of the crates disposed therebelow in a pile cannot project at any place through the bottom and are retained in the bearing positions. The replacement of a closed bottom plate by bottom rails leads to weight savings. Furthermore, the framework walls remain accessible within the range of their crossing and at their center from the bottom and can be equipped by use of simple forms with recesses or cutouts. By this arrangement, further material savings can be obtained without essential reduction of the rigidity. The cleaning of such crates is easily possible, because dirt corners are avoided and the washing water can flow off without interference.

With the present invention, the bottom construction for low bottle crates is created which brings about further advantages. With the above-mentioned bottle crates, the present bottle crates in accordance with the present invention have in common, that a framework is provided for the bottles, the walls are arranged parallel to the outer walls of the crate and the bottom comprises web formations connected with the framework walls and disposed symmetrically to the partitions. The open distance from each other is smaller than the diameter of the bottle heads and they have always a limitation for the passage of the head of a bottle disposed in the pile therebelow. Furthermore, the position of the web formation is chosen such, that the framework walls are within the range of their crossings and in their center are free from passing bottom rails and in this range have upwardly projecting cutouts.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a low bottle crate of synthetic material, wherein in the bottom of each partition first rail rings are provided, the center point of which coincides about with the frame center, that the first web rings of adjacent frames are connected together by second Web rings, the center point of which is disposed below the center of the prevailing framework wall, that below the framework iwall crossings third web rings are provided, the center point of which. coincides with the framework crossings and which are connected with the adjacent second web rings and that as a limit for the passage of the bottle heads and as supporting place for the latter, fourth web rings are provided concentrically in the first Web rings and are connected with the latter.

The bottom rails are also, so to speak, dissolved in rings. By this arrangement, a greater rigidity as well as a certain elasticity of the bottom can be obtained without appreciable increase and expenditure of material. The desired cutouts in the framework walls can be provided furthermore, because the corresponding ranges are acces- 3 sible through the prevailing web rings through the bottom. Furthermore, the piling possibility is improved and it is prevented that, upon removal of a crate from the pile, the closures of the bottles disposed therebelo w in the pile are torn off. Since the crates with the'fourth web rings lie conceutrically on the edge of the heads of the bottles disposed therebelow in a pile, the sealing of the heads is improved by the load in a crate pile. On the other hand, in case of a loading of the heads within the range of their center the sealing is interfered with and thereby the bottle content can be rendered unusable. The sealing and piling safety can still be improved in accordance with a further development of the present invention such, that the diameter of the fourth web rings is chosen such, that the heads of the bottles standing therebelow in the pile can penetrate slightly into the web rings.

The bottom formation in accordance with the present invention permits a plurality of variations. Thus, the invention suggests in its further development, that the diameter of the second web rings is smaller than the diameter of the first Web rings and that parts of the periphery of the adjacent first and second web rings are common. Furthermore, it can be provided, that the diameter of the second and third web rings is about equal and that the third web rings are connected with the adjacent second web rings by short web pieces disposed below the framework walls.

The first and second web ring adjacent the outer walls of the crate are suitably connected by means of web disposed perpendicularly to the outer walls of the crate. Additionally, a further connecting web can be provided in the crate corners.

A further development of the present invention suggests to connect the fourth web rings by four short supporting webs extending radially and parallel to the framework walls with the corresponding first web rings. The supporting webs can have an upwardly projecting cam, which takes care, by penetration in the slightly upwardly curved bottom of a bottle for a centering of the bottle in the corresponding partition.

The bands, leading downwardly to the crate bottom and formed by the cutouts of the framewonk walls, can suitably be equipped With stiffening ribs. A sufficient stiffness can be achieved even then when the framework walls are kept very thin for reasons of saving of weight. Suitably, the stifiening ribs are disposed at the margin of a central framework wall cutouts and lead into the second web rings. by this arrangement, an additional connection to the crate bottom is provided.

In a low bottle crate with gripping openings provided at the end sides for gripping the crate, the present invention provides, that the stiffening ribs of the framework walls disposed opposite to the gripping openings or slots lead upwardly to at least half of the crate height. In this range, a stiffening of the framework walls is particularly desirable, because during carrying of the crates the habit exists to grip instead of the gripping slots or in addition to the bottles adjacent the end sides of the crate, whichsupport themselves then in case of an inclined hanging crate against the framework walls disposed opposite the gripping slots.

Depending upon their position, the stiffening ribs can lead to an enlargement of the partition width required for the bottles. This does not disturb, however, in most instances, because the users of the crates require generally that crates of synthetic material have the same measurements as the previously conventional bottle crates of wood or metal, so that the presently used machines and conveying devices can still be used. Due to the low wall thickness of bottle crates of synthetic material, a larger space is available inside of the crate, which can be used for the application of stiffening ribs.

Thus, in accordance with a further development of the present invention, the possibility exists also, that the framework walls have within the range above the central cutthe wall center.

With these and other objects in view which will become apparent in the following detailed description, the present invention, which is shown by example only, will be clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. l is a perspective top plan view of a bottle crate, designed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view partly in section, of the bottle crate disclosed in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation, partly in section, of the crate disclosed in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged top plan view of the crate disclosed in FIG. 1.

The shown bottle crate consists of synthetic material and it is made integrally of one piece. The outer walls 1 of the crate are substantially closed and rounded off on the crate corners. on the longitudinal sides of the crates they have large faced cavities 2, which can be used as advertising spaces. The inside of the crate is divided into a plurality of partitions orcompartments by means of a framework, which is formed by framework walls 3 extending in longitudinal directionof the crate, as well as framework walls 4 extending in cross direction of the crate. The framework walls 3 and 4 are equipped at their upper edge in known manner with zig-zag-shaped cutouts, which guide the bottles safely even into the individual frames, if they are inserted not exactly. Within the range of their crossings, the framework walls 3 and 4 have cutouts 5 leading upwardly from the bottom, which recesses 5 bring about the result, that the walls are only connected for a portion of their height. Furthermore, in the center of the framework walls 3 and 4, further cutouts 6 are arranged, which likewise lead from the bottom upwardly. As can be clearly recognized from FIGS. 2 and 3, in view of the cutouts 5 and 6 only small ribs 7 remain from the framework walls 3 and 4, which ribs 7 are connected at their upper end and lead downwardly to the crate bottom.

The crate bottom comprises a plurality of web rings which are connected together, as well as with the framework walls and the outer walls of the crate. In particular, in the bottom of each crate are disposed first web rings 8, the center point of which coincides about with the center of the partition. The first web rings 8 are connected together by second web rings 9, the center point of which is disposed at about the center of the framework walls. The first and second web rings 8 and 9 have one part of their periphery common and, thus, run into each other. Third web rings 10, the center point of which coincides with the framework wall crossings, are connected by short web pieces 11 with the second web rings 9. These web pieces are disposed below the framework walls 3 and 4 and of the remaining bands 7, respectively, and are connected with the latter. For connection of the first and of the second web rings 8 and 9, respectively, to the outer walls 1, further web pieces 12 and 13, respectively, are provided, which run radially into the rings and are arranged perpendicularly to the outer walls. Further web pieces 14 lead into the crate corners from the adjacent first web rings 8.

Within the first web rings 8 are arranged concentrically fourth web rings 15, which are connected with the first web rings 8 by means of short supporting webs 16. During piling up of the bottle crates, the bottom face of the fourth web rings 15 are engaging the heads of the bottles in the crates therebelow. The inner diameter of the web rings 15 is chosen such, that the closures can penetrate slightly. By this arrangement, a good position safety of the crates if obtained in the pile, and furthermore, their scaling is improved by the pressure exerted on the heads.

Cams17 projecting to the inside of the crates are arranged on the supporting webs 16. During setting of the bottles with a highly curved bottom, the cams 17 provide for a centering of the bottles in the partitions.

As a transfer of the bands 7 into the second web rings 9 are arranged stiffening ribs 18, which continue into the center cutouts 6 of the framework walls 3 and 4. In order that the bottles cannot be set on the stiffening ribs, inclined faces are provided at the upper end of the stiffening ribs. In the two framework walls 4 disposed opposite gripping slots 19 on the end faces of the crate, the stiffening ribs 18 (FIG. 2) lead to about half of the crate height. The thereby increased stiffening makes possible a carrying of the crate by gripping of the bottles adjacent to the gripping slots 19, without thereby creating an extensive deformation or damage of the framework walls disposed opposite the gripping slots by the forces occurring thereby.

In order to avoid that during such carrying of the crate, the two bottles, disposed adjacent the gripping slots 19, can slide out from their partitions, the stiffening ribs 18" in these partitions terminate at a certain height above the crate bottom with a set-off (not shown). When bottles with a beaded edge at the bottom are inserted into the crate, during carrying of the crate in the above-stated manner engages the beaded edge below the set-off of the ribs, so that the crate can be carried safely.

Since the width of the partitions, due to the accommodation of the outer measurements of the crate to conventional wood or metal crates, is larger than the diameter of the bottles, two further stiffening ribs 20 are provided above the central framework of the cutout 6, which further stiffening ribs 20 are shown for the sake of simplification of the drawing in FIG. 1 in one frame only. The height of these stiffening ribs 20 is chosen such that the bottles fit well into the partitions. Inclined faces prevent again a setting up of the bottles.

As can be ascertained from FIG. 4, the free space between the individual web rings and web pieces is always smaller than the diameter of the bottle heads (corresponding with the diameter of the web rings 15). The bottle heads cannot thus penetrate during piling of the crates into the bottom of the crate thereabove. Nevertheless, the bottom is as open as possible, so that the material requirement remains low and the crate can easily be cleaned. The position and the diameter of the individual web rings is chosen such, that a safe supporting face for the bottles set into the crate and bearing positions for the heads of the bottles disposed in a pile therebelow result. The framework walls are accessible within the range of their crossings as well as in their center, so that the desired cutout can be provided.

I claim:

1. A low bottle crate of synthetic material comprising outer walls,

a framework including framework walls extending parallel to said outer walls of the crate respectively, crossing each other and forming a plurality of partitions,

a bottom of said crate comprising web formations connected with said framework walls and symmetrically disposed in each of said partitions,

said framework walls having cutouts extending substantially from said bottom in an upward direction,

said web formations comprising,

a first web ring disposed at the bottom of each of said partitions and defining a center thereof that coincides with the center of each of said partitions,

second web rings connecting said first web rings of each pair of adjacent partitions,

the center point of each of said second web rings being disposed below the center of one of said framework walls,

third web rings disposed below the points at which said framework walls cross, respectively and the center point of each of said third web rings coinciding with said points of crossings of said framework walls,

said third web rings being connected with adjacent of second web rings,

a fourth web ring arranged concentrically within each of said first web rings, to constitute limiting means for the passage of heads of bottles and bearing 6 places therefor, and each of said fourth web ring being connected with each of said first web rings, respectively, and said web rings defining openings between each pair of 5 adjacent web rings and within said web rings, said openings adapted to be smaller than said heads of said bottles. 2. The low bottle crate, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the diameter of each of said fourth web rings is chosen such, that the heads of bottles disposed in a pile, therebelow penetrate slightly into said fourth web rings disposed thereabove. 3. The low bottle crate, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the diameter of said second web rings is Smaller than the diameter of said first web rings, and circumferential parts of said first and second web rings are common.

4. The low bottle crate, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the diameter of said second and third web rings is about equal, and short members connecting said third web rings with adjacent of said second web rings said short members disposed below said framework walls. 5. The low bottle crate, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second web rings include outermost of said first and second web rings which are adjacent to said outer walls of said crate, and straight webs extending perpendicular to said outer walls of said crate connecting said outermost of said first and second web rings, respectively, with said outer walls. 6. The low bottle crate, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising four short supporting webs connecting said fourth web rings with the adjacent of said web rings, respectively, said four short supporting webs extend radially and parallel relative to the center of said first and second web rings. 40 7. The low bottle crate, as set forth in claim 6, further comprising an upwardly projecting cam on each of said four short supporting webs. 8. The low bottle crate, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising stiffening ribs on said framework walls extending downwardly to said bottom of said crate and formed by said cutouts in said framework walls. 9. The low bottle crate, as set forth in claim 8, wherein one of said cutouts extends centrally in each of said partitions in each of said framework walls, and said stiffening ribs are disposed at the edges of said one of said cutouts and extend into said second web rings. 10. The low bottle crate, as set forth in claim 9, wherein two of said outer walls constituting the end sides of said crate are formed with slots for gripping said crate, and some of said stiffening ribs on said framework walls are disposed opposite said gripping slots and said some of said stiffening ribs extend upwardly to about half of the height of the crate.

11. The low bottle crate, as set forth in claim 1,

8 crate which is adapted complementary to the shape FOREIGN PATENTS of said bottles disposed adjacent thereto. 1,488,661 7/1967 France References Cited 1,084,191 9/1967 Great Bntaln.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 GEORGE E. LOWRANCE, Primary Examiner 3,009,579 11/1961 Ettlinger 220-97 X 3,390,801 7/1968 Adomat 220-21 3,428,207 2/1969 Schoeller 220 21 22046 

